Steady offense helping Sweetwater transition

The Sweetwater Mustangs are off to a 2-0 start for the fourth straight season, so it would seem the transition to its new coaching staff is going smoothly.

"So far, so good," said senior receiver and defensive back Kobe Clark. "Since they brought in the same offense as last year, the spread, it's been a lot easier."

Ben McGehee took over as Sweetwater's head coach in February after Shane Mobley left to go to Sealey High School, near Houston. McGehee was the offensive coordinator at Class 5A Temple, which used the spread to advance to the state championship game.

"Our tempo is the difference," said McGehee. "We try to go a little faster than what it was last year. Anybody that is in a spread system is essentially going to be running the same concepts, so it's really just a terminology difference.

"I think that's made the transition a little bit better offensively."

The Mustangs have breezed through their first two games -- a 35-10 win at Wichita Falls and a 56-20 home victory versus Big Spring.

Senior quarterback Chris Thompson threw for more than 600 yards and nine touchdowns in the two games combined.

While the offense hasn't changed much, the defense features more of a nickel scheme with five defensive backs to match-up better against other teams operating out of the shotgun.

McGehee said one of the ways he's noticed his team in grow in his leadership from newer players.

"There's four or five players that played a significant role in last year's team and the rest of them are all brand new, especially up front on both sides of the ball. There's been some development of leaders on the offensive and defensive line."

Sweetwater plays San Angelo Lake View for Homecoming at the Mustang Bowl on Friday, Sept. 16. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m.